A&E

With many college students actively seeking professional experience outside of the classroom, ArtPrize and Ferris State’s Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD) have partnered up to provide 12 paid internships in preparation for the "ArtPrize 10" season. The partnership announced it is accepting applications from any West Michigan student for internship positions involving education, volunteer/visitor engagement, development and exhibition management.
ArtPrize Director of Learning and Engagement Becca Guyette said that the positions target a plethora of different majors but are not limited to any given major. The program prioritizes giving students experience and skills that can be transferred from nonprofit work to any other workplace.

Each month, Grand Rapids-based artists, designers and entrepreneurs gather in the rustic lobby of the Wealthy Theatre to celebrate local business and creatives at the Indie Flea Market. The market, which takes place on the first Saturday of each month, is put together by local non-profit group called 'The Vendor Exchange'. The organization works to create bonds in the community between local artisans and the public, as well as to educate and empower emerging businesses.
The Indie Flea Market is just one of the recurring events held by The Vendor Exchange. The group also offers several opportunities for Grand Rapids startups to network, learn, sell their products and establish themselves in the community.

Jazz music is a widely enjoyed form of art, whether the person listening is a die-hard musician or a casual listener. For those interested in enjoying a weekend of jazz, the seventh annual GRandJazzFest will be taking place in downtown Grand Rapids on Aug. 18 and 19. The event is a free music festival for the entire family that includes variety of activities for all ages.
On April 30, festival organizers unveiled the lineup of performers for this year’s festival. The festival will include musicians such as keyboardist Oli Silk, Western Michigan University student band Lushh and headliner Euge Groove, an accomplished saxophonist with a distinct history in the jazz top 40 charts. A total of ten musicians will be performing across the weekend.

Riding on a string of shows that included a performance on CONAN, “party rock” artist Andrew W.K. is set to continue his U.S. tour at the Pyramid Scheme in Grand Rapids on Thursday. The tour follows the release of “You’re Not Alone,” W.K.’s newest album after more than a decade of musical silence.
W.K., an Ann Arbor native, said the upcoming show isn’t his first visit to Grand Rapids nor the Pyramid Scheme. Despite being familiar with the city, the one facet of performing there that always surprises him is the high turnout to his concerts.

After a year’s worth of work, Grand Valley State University’s student journal of art and writing, Fishladder, released its 15th edition to a crowd of contributors, editors and guests Friday, April 13. The journal, which features fiction and nonfiction writing, poetry, art and photography, was formally released to the public during its annual unveiling event.

Grand Valley State University seniors Margaret Shaw and Olivia Karwoski are two of multiple students who will be displaying their photography senior theses this week in the exhibition “Fractal.” The show will be available in the Art Gallery of the Haas Center for Performing Arts from Tuesday, April 17, to Saturday, April 28, with a reception scheduled for Thursday, April 19, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

As the semester comes to a close, seniors at Grand Valley State University are concluding their studies and wrapping up their final academic projects. For graphic design students, this means the completion of their senior projects. This week, a group of these students will be showcasing their work in the “Lorem Ipsum” senior exhibition.
“Lorem Ipsum” will be available in the Stuart B. and Barbara H. Padnos Student Art and Design Gallery from Monday, April 16, to Thursday, April 19. A reception will take place Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Plans for the 2018 season of the Grand Valley State University Shakespeare Festival are already underway. This year’s performances will be “King Lear” and “Bard to Go.” There are casting opportunities for all students regardless of major or minor. Backstage duties are also available.